The Fight Still Goes On...

Is it hard, being a campaigner?

It was easier, when I was younger, - before this government. Before this government, it was access issues - 'excuse me, any chance we could have a ramp here'? ''These doors cold be electric, you know...' 'yes, but when you get the wheelchairs, INSIDE the lift, there's barely any room, to close the door!' Or, 'excuse me, you can't do that', 'these buses need level access. You're breaking the law...!'

Now, it's 'but they're killing us! People are starving...'

It's being told we're any variant, of 'benefit scrounging scum' ...on an almost daily basis, by this government, or the media.

I've lost count of the times I've had to say, 'actually, those figures aren't correct. You're being lied to. Benefit fraud is actually...percent!'

I feel worthless, every time the government spouts more 'scrounger rhetoric' and lies to people. I'm not a 'scrounger' - I'm Helen,- and for the record, disabled, and ill people, have to struggle, just to manage the easiest of tasks, and just to get through the day! Surely, that is the very definition of 'striving?!' - But no, that doesn't count! WE don't count, now.

Even when I'm trying to 'take a break,' my brain won't switch off. There's guilt. I feel like I should be doing this, that, or the other. I should be reading, or writing this,that or the other!

I'm getting better at saying, (to myself), I'll do it later, but it takes ages, for the knots to leave my stomach.

I'm not alone. There are so many of us, that carry those feelings around with us, and the fight, never stops! If we don't make a stand, and say that all this anxiety, fear, suffering, pain, and death, is wrong, - who will?!

We can't count on the law to protect us, because the bastards in government, will change that, if something doesn't go their way!

We can't count on (many) politicians to protect us, because they are the problem! Them, and their twisted, harmful, and sick ideology - which says the poor and vulnerable, should suffer, while the rich, pay less tax, get bonuses, and kick us. while we're down!

Nobody asks for a disability or illness. It's not a choice! Nobody asks to be poor, either.

We are fighting harder now, and it's a different fight to when I started. We have to fight for basics, and the right to be viewed as human beings, and not nameless 'scroungers!'

I never thought this could, or would happen, but it is. and we're living it.

Is it hard, being a campaigner? It's beyond hard, and it's heartbreaking.

I wouldn't wish what so many people are going through, on my worst enemy, and I often feel that whatever I do, it is never enough.

I won't get started on 'group politics', self imposed campaigner hierarchies, egos, and the day to day grind of the way all that works! That's another layer of stress!

That's why I stay out of groups, and I don't have any party allegiances. I speak for myself, and myself only. If people agree with me, fine. If people don't, that's fine, too!

The cause is more important than me. It's more important than any one person. I believe in it, with everything that I am, and even though, I want to run away screaming, on a regular basis, and never campaign another day in my life, I can't do that. It's part of me. It always has been - and it always will be.

Think About It...This is Everyone's Problem! (A Short Blog Post)

You know what really annoys me?...(Several things, actually, but this is what annoys me, most)!

We shouldn't be the only ones fighting to save the welfare state! No one is immune from potentially needing it!

What's happening here, isn't just a problem for us, it's a problem for future generations, and it's a problem, for those who are arrogant enough to think that they would never need it!

Everyone should be helping us!

Everyone, (with any compassion, or understanding, at all), should be supporting us, as we try to raise awareness of the fact that vulnerable people, are suffering and DYING, under this government!

We aren't just doing this for ourselves. We are doing it for YOUR children, and grandchildren, and ANYONE, who just might need a bit of help one day!

No one is immune from disability,illness, or unemployment. Lives can change, (forever), in just a split second!

Please, don't think that what's happening here, is 'nothing to do with you', 'not your problem', or that it has 'no impact on your life'. It impacts on everyone!

I'm not sure either, that I would want to be one of the people, who turn a blind eye, while disabled,ill, and vulnerable people fight for their lives!

It may seem harsh, but that is the truth of what's happening here. In years to come, people will wonder, how this was allowed to happen? How did we allow people to suffer, (and often, die), under these 'reforms?!'

Please, don't be one of those people, who doesn't even think about it.

...And just to back up what I've said, as I type this, I know of someone, who has begged me, to send them tins of food, because they have nothing!

Is it any wonder, we're angry and hurt?! This, should not be happening, anywhere, - ever! 

Least of all here, in a rich country, -and YES, we are rich, despite what this government would have you believe!

We should be able to feed, and care for people, who need it. Before you believe all the coalition's 'scrounger rhetoric', please, think about it, and remember that we, are people.

(Image: Google)

#helenswriting

Remember What the Truth Is... (A Facebook Status, Shared).

Oh great! It's another one of those 'Is your neighbour committing benefit fraud' campaigns!

This means more accusations of, 'x can't be disabled/ill. I saw them....!'

Helen xx

'You can't be ill, I saw you OUTSIDE, SMILING!'

As this is another attempt by the government to plant doubt and suspicion in people's minds, can I please remind people, that not every disability or illness is visible, and even people who feel horrible on the inside, manage to smile?!

Don't make snap judgements, because it can lead to a hell of a lot of trouble, which is exactly what the government wants.

The Tories have always hated the Welfare state. They want it, gone.

They want to spread doubt and hatred, which will ultimately divide people. It's already happening!

They want to justify cutting that support. If you've been my Facebook friend, or my 'real life' friend, for at least four years, (assuming you have paid attention), you will know what happens, (and is happening), when vital support is ripped away.

Vulnerable people suffer, and die.

I'm not saying there aren't fraudsters. What I'm saying, is that they are a very small percentage, compared to the numbers you have been lead to believe.

Remember what the TRUTH is. This government has an ideology that they want to serve.

That ideology, is hurting, and causing the deaths of people, who are struggling already. Now they, (we), have to fight for our lives, too.

All I'm asking, please, is that you keep an open mind. Every 'scrounger' that this government tells you to hate, is a person, with a life - and feelings, which are being hurt.

Nobody chooses disability, or illness, and nobody chooses to have heartbreaking limitations placed on their lives. Please, please, remember that, and remember, too, that this can happen to ANYONE!

Love,

Helen.

Make-up is Fake (Unedited First Draft).

Make-up is fake,

I’m real,

Make-up says my face is easier to take,

But I’m real.

Why should I hide

A blemish or a scar,

Have they harmed me, so far?

Make-up is fake,

I’m real.

I’ve got a spot, I may wish wasn’t there,

But it’s not really me,

It’s society that cares!

 Make-up is fake,

But I’m real.

You say it gives confidence,

When you look good,

But who told you that you should?

Make-up is fake,

You’re real.

Why does it matter,

 That you haven’t got perfect skin,

Because confidence, you know,

It comes from within.

Make-up is fake,

But you’re real.

Yes, I have pride in my appearance, too,

I’m tidy and clean,

But I am me,

And I don’t need to preen.

Make-up is fake,

 I’m real.

Be yourself,

Your lipstick, is not what they’ll remember,

Hold your head up,

Don’t hide,

And never surrender,

Because

Make-up is fake,

But you’re real.

Image: 'Pinterest'

#helenswriting

Bitter...and Twisted (Poem 2011)

Today
I'm bitter,
My body twists
In pain.

Today
I'm angry,
My body
Fights my brain.

Today
I'm crying,
My body
Wins again.

Today
I'm worthless,
And my body
Feels the same.

Today
I'm bitter,
And my body
Still remains.

(Image: Google)

Sending Britain to War (again) - A Facebook Rant - Shared

As I write this, Parliament has just decided to get Britain involved in the war against I.S. -('Islamic State).'

I realise it is highly complex and difficult situation, which no country, or leader of a country, wants to find themselves in, but for me, (and many others), the idea of Britain getting involved in this, sets off a lot of different thoughts.

I was told by a friend, that I should share this morning's Facebook update with you, exactly as I wrote it, because it 'captures everything'.

Yes, the friend was right, when she (also) said that it captures how 'indignant' I feel about this. 

So here it is:


'Oh yeah, because embarking on another war, is a really sensible idea! There isn't another way?! 

Well, FIND ONE! 

Violence solves nothing, and how can you be claiming to take the 'moral' high ground, when you're BOMBING them?! 

Hello?! 

I know we have to protect ourselves, (to an extent), and help others, (IF we ARE actually helping), but this is NOT the answer!


Will the rich and powerful, who make the decision to 'go to war', end up paying for it? No, I highly doubt it! 

Funny how we can afford a war, but we have over a million people reliant on foodbanks, and we're cutting vital social security, and services for the disabled, ill, poor, and vulnerable...isn't it?!

Also, if you're so keen to go to war, Mr Cameron, maybe you should lead the troops in YOURSELF, or a member of your family, perhaps?!

Let's see how keen you would be, then!

Thank you. I'm done!'



War is war -and if it does go on for 'years, rather than months,' as has been stated, more lives will be lost, of under-equipped, (and overstretched troops), as well as innocent civilians! 

War is not the answer!

#helenswriting

A Landmark Lost - Remembering 'The Ambassador Hotel'- Los Angeles

I want to tell you about the much loved, (and much missed), 'Ambassador Hotel' in Los Angeles.

I began researching the hotel, after I read about it, in the mid 1990's. To me, it was, (and still is), fascinating on many levels.

Not only was it an abandoned, decaying building, with unique, and beautiful features, but it held so much history, so much mystery, glamour, drama, and ghosts, of an era, long gone. 

My imagination was set on fire by the place.

The hotel opened in December 1929. It became popular with many of the Hollywood stars, of the 'golden age'.Anyone who was anyone, in L.A at that time, stayed here - from Presidents to actors, writers to artists. They stayed there, lived there, partied, romanced, - and died there.

The first Oscar ceremony took place in the ballroom, as did many afterwards.

Many Hollywood movies were filmed, within its walls, including, The Graduate.

Marilyn Monroe got her first modelling job here, when she was simply, Norma Jean Baker. Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand were just a few of the greats who performed at the world famous 'Coconut Grove' nightclub, within the hotel.

Much later, it was there, (in the pantry of the hotel), that Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy, was assassinated, in June, 1968.

After those tragic events, the hotel struggled, and that was compounded, by a sharp decline in the surrounding neighbourhood.

The hotel, with its beautiful art deco features, staircases, and ever present echoes of Hollywood's history, finally closed its doors, at the end of 1989.

Between then, and its demolition, it continued to be used as a filming location.In fact, the last thing to be filmed here, was 'Bobby' - a film about the lives of (fictionalised) hotel staff, and Robert Kennedy's last campaign .The hotel was already being demolished, as the last scenes were shot.

I wish it was still standing, and I wish I could've gone there, to soak up the atmosphere, and explore the halls.

As with many places, this was so much more than just a building, and it should have been treasured, and looked after.

History is valuable, and I think sometimes, when money is involved, it is easy to forget that, and by the time you've remembered, it's often too late.

Images: Various - From 'The Ambassador Hotel - Los Angeles' (Facebook page). See link below:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/50893766673/







#helenswriting